Birds of a Feather, Art Together

About 51.3 million Americans told the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that they watch birds. Birding has become a popular sport  and for For Art Sakes second print series Birdwatch at Gallery 101, Jose Lopez from Freedom Art did the art version of birding: He hand-picked certain artists to create pieces encapsulating the beauty of birds. Every piece  framed prints or stretched canvas  will contain a bird as either a primary or secondary object. Ryan Klaverweide, Marcos Solis, and John Kissee, who was inspired by a cockatiel, will be among the 15 artists, as well as Lorelay Bove from California, who animates for Disney.

Its an opening weekend: Birdwatch will run from 7 to midnight on both Friday and Saturday, each night costs $5, and sponsors Brew Urban Café and Storks will provide coffee and food platters, respectively. The only difference is the musical lineup: On Friday, its DJ Utopia Syndrome, and on Saturday, at 9 p.m., electronic artist MillionYoung will perform and before that, Michelle Stevens will deejay. Both nights at 10 p.m., local indie rock outfit Alexander will have sets. Theres also a third event: Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., the Gallery will host an artist meet and greet; lectures from Kissee, Lopez, and Stevens on the process of using digital graphic art; and a lecture and silk screen workshop from the Iron Forge Press guys  all for ten bucks. Guests get to silk screen themselves and take a print home as well as buy limited edition prints from some of the artists. There will also be a luncheon.

All artwork at Birdwatch is for sale and priced from $75 to $300. It will be on display until June 13 at Gallery 101 (501 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale). Call 954-882-1861, or visit thegallery101.net. Also check out forartssakeshow.com. Fri., May 28, 7 p.m.; Sat., May 29, 12 & 7 p.m., 2010